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Manchester United priced out of blockbuster summer deals for European trio

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Pranav Nair | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 9:37 AM ET

Manchester United cannot afford a summer move for Benjamin Sesko, Ollie Watkins, and Nicolas Jackson

Manchester United’s hunt for a clinical number nine this summer continues to hit brick walls, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein now reporting that three top targets- Benjamin Sesko, Ollie Watkins, and Nicolas Jackson, are likely out of reach due to financial constraints.

United had hoped to make a statement signing up front following a season that sorely lacked consistent goalscoring output. The club’s attempts to land Hugo Ekitike were swiftly shut down after the Frenchman committed to Liverpool. Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres, another name discussed internally, has firmly set his sights on a move to Arsenal.

Although United showed genuine interest in these forwards, the reality is sobering: the asking prices are simply too steep. Sesko is valued at a premium after two promising seasons in the Bundesliga, Watkins is crucial to Aston Villa’s project, and Jackson’s valuation has soared after an inconsistent but strong stint with Chelsea. As it stands, none of the three are viable targets unless circumstances dramatically change.

Recruitment needs to step up

The club’s pursuit of Ekitike and Gyokeres, although ultimately unsuccessful, underlined an aggressive intent to reinforce the frontline. But United’s hesitation and financial inflexibility have now placed them on the back foot.

With the club needing to strengthen multiple areas of the pitch while also working within budget constraints caused by a lack of Champions League football and mounting FFP pressures, prioritising the right targets is crucial. Yet missing out on long-discussed options like Sesko and Watkins raises questions about whether the recruitment team was too reactive instead of proactive.

While rivals like Liverpool and Arsenal continue to act decisively, United appear bogged down by negotiations and valuations that stretch beyond their reach. For a club of this stature, that’s a deeply frustrating position to be in.

It’s time to be smart, not extravagant

While fans understandably crave big-name signings, Manchester United must now pivot toward more realistic options that still align with Ruben Amorim’s tactical vision. Just because we can’t afford a Sesko or Watkins doesn’t mean the summer is a failure, it simply means the club needs to scout smarter and act faster.

There are proven strikers in smaller leagues, or even underutilized players in top clubs, who can thrive under Amorim’s system. The success of someone like Hojlund will also depend on proper support and tactical stability, something United lacked last season.

Missing out on the likes of Sesko stings, yes, but this could be the wake-up call the club needs. Splashing a bomb doesn’t always guarantee goals. It’s time for a more methodical, data-driven approach, because if we continue chasing after players we can’t afford, we’ll only fall further behind.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

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